Television receiver



Oct. 25, 1955 J. G. SPRACKLEN TELEVISION RECEIVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 15, 1951 FIG.2

JOHN G. SPRACKLEN INVENTOR.

HIS ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1955 J. G. SPRACKLEN TELEVISION RECEIVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 15, 1951 HIS ATTORNEY 2,721,895 TELEVISION RECEIVER John G; Spracklen, Chicago, Ilia, assignorto Zenith Radio Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Original application September 15', 1951, Serial No. 246,768. Divided and this application December 3, 1952, Serial No. 323,752

14 Claims. (Cl; 178-595) This invention relates to television receivers and more particularly to synchronizing and automatic gain control systems for use in such receivers. This application is a division of copending application Serial No; 246,768, filed September 15, 1951, for Television Receiver, arid assigned to the present assignee. m V I,

In the copending applications of Robert Adler; Serial No. 139,401, filed January 19, 1950, for Electron- Diseharge Devices, now U, S Patent No. 2,606,300, issued August 5, 1952, and Serial No. 139,402, filed January 19, 1950, for Synchronizing-Control Apparatusj now abandoned in favor of continuation-impart applications SerialNo. 267,826, filed January 23, 1952, now U. 5. Patent No. 2,684,404, issued July 20, 1954, and Serial No. 260,221, filed December 6, 1951, all assigned to the present assignee, there are disclosed and nited States Patent claimed a novel electron-discharge device and system for 1 use as a synchronizing-control system in a television receiver or the like. In' the preferred embodiment, a twosection tube is employed,- the first section operating as a synchronizing-signal clipper and balanced line frequency phase-detector to develop between a pair of anodes a balanced unidirectional control voltage indicative of the phase dilference between the local line-frequency oscillator and the incoming line-frequency synchronizingsignal pulses; In the other section of the tube, a beam is simultaneously subjected to a sinusoidal magneticdeflection field energized from the line-frequency sweep output and to a slow lateral displacement in accordance with the balanced unidirectional control voltage developed between the two phase detector anodes in the other section. In this manner,- the duty cycles of the two final anodes in the second section of the tube vary in accordance with the unidirectional control potential developed between the phase detector anodes in the first section. Either the leading edge or the trailing edge of the developed quasi-square wave is employed to drive the linefrequency sweep system.- The output voltages appearingat the phase detector anodes may be combined and integrated to provide field-frequency output pulses for controlling the field=frequency sweep system, or a separate anode may be provided for this purpose. Thus, a single tube, together with a small number of external circuit elements, performs the several functions of synchronizing-signal separator, automatic frequency control phase detector, linerequency oscillator, and reactance tube, thus providing a substantial saving in comparison with conventional systems employing three or more tubes to perform these functions; However, a synchronizing-control tube of this type is of relatively complex construction and requires the use of an external magnetic field energized from the output of the line-frequency sweep system.

In the copending application of Robert Adler, Serial No; 242,509, filed August 18, 1951, for Television Receiver, and assigned to the present assignee, there are disclosed and claimed anovel tube and system for obtaining both noise-immune synchronizing-signal sepa- 2,721,895 l atented Oct. 25, 1955 ration and gated automatic gain control generation. In a preferred form of this system, a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section is projected through a deflection-control system toward a target electrode which is provided with a pair of apertures and is followed by plate electrodes for collecting space electrons which pass through the respective apertures. Detected composite video signals are applied to the deflection-control system in such a manner that space electrons are permitted to pass through the two apertures in the target electrode only during synchronizing-pulse intervals. Moreover, extraneous noise impulses, which are generally of much greater amplitude than the desired synchronizing pulses, cause transverse deflection of the beam beyond the apertures so that space electron flow to the plate electrodes is again interrupted. One of the plate electrodes is employed to derive noise-immune output pulses corresponding to the synchronizing-pulse components of the applied composite video signals, and these output pulses are employed to drive the line-frequency and field-frequency scanning systems. A keying signal, derived from the line-frequency and/or field-frequency scanning system, is applied to the other plate electrode to obtain a gated automatic gain control potential which is then applied in a conventional manner to one or more of the early receiving stages. In order to insure the establishment of synchronizing-pulse output at the first plate electrode by the time the automatic gain control system goes into effect to limit further growth of the signal, the two apertures in the target electrode are disposed in overlapping alignment in a direction parallel to the plane of the sheet like electron beam. In addition to providing noise-immune synchronizing-signal separation and automatic gain control generation in a single tube, this system has the important advantage of automatically establishing the correct synchronizingpulse clipping level for all receiver-input signal levels, with the result that incorrect synchronizing-pulse clipping which might otherwise be caused by drift o'r fn'isadjustment of the automatic gain control circuits is effectively precluded.

While each of these two systems individually permits receiver simplification by virtue of a combination of functions in a single electron-discharge tube, and while each results in improved receiver operation in some respects, the two systems do not readily lend themselves to consolidation in a single multi-purp'ose tube. The synchronizing-control system described in the first-thentioned Adler applications requires magnetic deflection of a beam which has been gated by the incoming synchronizing-pulses to obtain automatic-frequehcy control phase-detection. On the other hand, electrostatic deflection is employed in the combined synchronizing-signal separator arid automatic gain control generator of the last-mentioned Adler application, and it is not feasible to restrict a magnetic-deflection field to that portion of the beam trajectory which follows the apertured target electrode. This consideration alone would prevent facile incorporation of the two systems in a single envelope. Moreover, to obtain the desired phase detection in the synchronizing-control system, the electron beam should originate at a fixed source, while the effective origin of the' beam passing through the apertured target electrode in the combined synchronizing-signal separator and automatic gain control generator may be anywhere within the synchronizing-pulse clipping aperture. Even if these dificu'ltie's could be overcome, the resulting structure would be complex and not as well adapted to economical mass production techniques as the subject invention.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to providean improved system for performing the several functions of noise-immune synchronizing-signal separator, balanced automatic-frequency-control phase-detector, line-frequency oscillator, reactance tube, and gated automatic gain control generator in a television receiver or the like.

It is a further object of the invention to achieve this desired objective while at the same time effecting a substantial cost reduction in the apparatus required to perform these functions.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood, however, by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals indicate like elements, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electrode system of a new and improved electron-discharge device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a graphical representation of certain operating characteristics of the tube shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a television receiver embodying the present invention.

Throughout the specification and the appended claims, the term composite television signal is employed to describe the received modulated carrier signal, while the term composite video signal is used to denote the varying unidirectional signal after detection.

In the perspective view of Figure l, which illustrates the essential elements of an electron-discharge device of preferred construction in accordance with the invention, two separate sheet-like electron beams of substantially rectangular cross-section are projected from opposite electron-emissive surfaces of a common elongated cathode which is provided with an indirect heater element (not shown). In the right-hand half of the tube, as viewed in Figure 1, space electrons originating at cathode 10 are projected through a slot 11 in an accelerating electrode 12 toward a target electrode or intercepting anode 13 which is provided with a pair of apertures 14 and 15 in overlapping alignment in a direction parallel to cathode 10. Three plate electrodes 16, 17 and 18 are provided for collectively receiving space electrons which pass through aperture 14, and an additional plate electrode 19 is provided for receiving space electrons which pass through aperture 15. A deflection-control system, illustrated as a pair of electrostatic-deflection plates 20 and 21, is provided between accelerating electrode 12 and intercepting anode 13. Preferably the tube j is so constructed and operated that the width of the beam at the plane of target electrode 13 is less than that of aperture 14.

In the left-hand half of the tube, as viewed in Figure l, electrons originating at cathode 10 are projected through a slot 22 in an accelerating electrode 23 toward a pair of anodes 24 and 25 respectively having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of this second beam. A pair of electrostatic-deflection plates 26 and 27 are provided between slot 22 and anodes 24 and 25.

In operation, the transverse deflection field established by deflection plates 20 and 21 is adjusted to direct the electron beam in the right-hand section of the tube to an electron-impervious portion of target electrode 13, for example, to a solid portion of electrode 13 on the side of aperture 14 nearer deflection plate 20. When an input signal of positive polarity is applied to deflection plate 21, or alternatively when an input signal of negative polarity is applied to deflection plate 20, the beam is deflected at least partially into apertures 14 and 15 whenever the input signal reaches a predetermined amplitude level. During such intervals, current is permitted to flow in the output circuits associated with plate electrodes 16, 17, 18 and 19, while during other intervals no such current flow can occur. Moreover, when the input signal exceeds a predetermined higher amplitude, the beam is deflected beyond aperture 14 of intercepting anode 13, and current flow to plate electrodes 16, 17 and 18 is again interrupted. At still greater amplitudes, the current flowing through plate electrode 19 is first reduced and then extinguished as the beam sweeps from the wide portion to the narrow portion of aperture 15 and beyond. Consequently, if plate electrodes 16, 17 and 18 each have equal receptive areas, the transfer characteristic of the deflection-control system with respect to each of these plate electrodes is substantially that represented by curve 30 of Figure 2, in which the current i flowing to plate electrode 16, 17, or 18 is plotted as a function of the input voltage 21 applied to the deflectioncontrol system. The transfer characteristic of the deflection-control system with respect to plate electrode 19 is determined by the geometry of aperture 15 in target electrode 13 and, for the illustrated construction, may be represented by curve 31 of Figure 2.

The left-hand portion of the structure of Figure 1 constitutes a conventional deflection-control electrode system. The electron beam projected through slot 22 of accelerating electrode 23 is directed either to anode 24 or to anode 25 in accordance with the instantaneous potential diflerence between electrostatic-deflection plates 26 and 27. Thus, if a sinusoidal signal is applied between deflection plates 26 and 27, the beam is caused cyclically to sweep back and forth between anode 24 and anode 25. Consequently, since full beam current is switched from one anode to the other in a relatively small fraction of a cycle, oppositely phased square-wave output signals are produced in load circuits respectively associated with output anodes 24 and 25; in the preferred embodiment of the invention, only one square-wave output signal is required, and either anode 24 or anode 25 is employed to develop the output signal while the other is directly connected to accelerating electrode 23.

The two electrode systems are combined in a single tube structure as shown in Figure 1 and are arranged to cooperate with each other in a particular manner to be hereinafter described in detail. Specifically, the combined tube structure of Figure 1 is particularly well adapted to serve as a combined noise-immune synchronizing signal separator, balanced automatic-frequencycontrol phase-detector, line-frequency oscillator, reactance tube, and gated automatic gain control generator in a television receiver or the like.

In Figure 1, only the essential elements of the electrode system are illustrated. Refinements of this system may be made in accordance with well-known practices in the art. Thus, for example, a plate having a slot narrower than the emissive surface of cathode 10 may be interposed between cathode 10 and either or both of accelerating electrodes 12 and 23 and maintained at or near cathode potential to restrict electron emission to a narrow central portion of the respective emissive surfaces of cathode 10. Moreover, it may be advantageous to include one or more suppressor electrodes between intercepting anode 13 and plate electrodes 16, 17, 18 and 19. The particular form of deflection-control means employed in the right-hand half of the structure of Figure l is not essential to the present invention; one or both of the deflection plates 20 and 21 may be replaced by several electrodes biased at different potentials which may correspond for example to cathode potential and the D. C. supply voltage of the associated apparatus with which the tube is employed. Moreover, either or both of the sheet-like electron beams may be split into two or more beams subjected to a common transverse deflection field, and such an arrangement is to be considered within the scope of the appended claims.

The electrode system is mounted within a suitable envelope (not shown) which may then be evacuated, gettered and based in accordance with well known proceclures in thea'rt. nruet'ure niay' coni ni ent ly be inclirded in a miniature tube envelope, a' nun ber of the electrode connections" being made internally of the envelope in smasher to be described hereinafter for the purpose of minimizing the number of required external circuit connections; I

In accordanc W'ith the present invention; a beam deflec'tion tube of the type shown and described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 may be employed in a television receiver in the manner schematically illustrated in' Figure 3. Incoming composite television signals are intercepted by an" antenna 40 and translated by receiving circuits, including a radio-frequency amplifier 41, an oscillator-converter 42 and an-inter'mediate-freq'uency amplifier 43, to a video detector 44. Detected composite video signals from detector 4'4 are impressed on the input circuit of a cathode ray tube 45 or other suitable image-reproducing device through first and second video amplifiers 46 and 47. Intercarrier sound signals from first video amplifier 46 are" detected and amplified by conventional sound circuits 4S and impressed on a loudspeaker 49 or "other suitable sound-reproducing device; i

Composite video signals from first video amplifier 46 ar'elalso impressed on a synchronizing system and autoinatic gain control generator, generally designated by the reference number 50, by means ofa resistive voltage divider comprising resistors 51 and 52, the junction between these resistors being connected to one deflection plate 21 in the right-hand section of a beam deflection tube 53 of the type shown and described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Cathodeltl of device 53 is connected to ground, and accelerating electrodes 12 and 23, target electrode 13, muse-"wad anode 25 of the lefthand section of devices: are connected together (preferably internally of the envelope) and to a suitable source of unidirectional e rating potential conventionally designated B+. Deflection plate 20 is connected to a tap on a voltage divider comprising resistors 54 and 55 connected between B+ and ground and is bypassed to ground by means of a c'ondenser 56 Plate electrode 16 is connected to B+ through a load resistor 57 and is also coupled by means of an integrator 58 to a field-frequency scanning systern 59 which provides suitable deflection currents to a field-frequency deflecnon coil 60 associated with image-reproducing de vice 45. I

The synchronizing systern also comprises a line-frequency sweep system 61, which may include a discharge tube and a power output stage, for impressing suitable deflection currents on the line-frequency deflection coil 52 associated with image-renaming device 45. Plate electrodes 17 and 18 r device 53 are coupled to apposite terminals of a coil 63, having a grounded center tap 64, by rneans of respective anticipatory and anti-shunt networks comprising shunt connected resistor condenser combinations 85 and and condensers and 66. Condense'r 67 is connected in parallel with coil 63, and a pair of series'connected resistors 68 and 69 are connected between plate electrodes 17 and'18 the junction 70 between resistors 68 arid 69 preferably being connected to the positive terminal of a suitable source of unidirectional bias potential, here shown as a battery 71, the negative terminal of which is grounded. Coil 63 is inductively coupled to a coil 72 connected in series between line-frequency sweep system 61 and line-frequency deflection coil 62. I

Plate electrodes 17 and 18 are directly connected to electrostatic-deflection plates 27 and 26 respectively in the left-hand section of device 53, and anode 24 is conis nected to B+ through a load resistor 73 and to line-frequency sweep system 61 through a differentiating network comprising a series condenser 74 and a shunt resist'or 75. I

Line-frequency sweep system 61 is also coupled to pTate' electrode by means of a series condenser 76 and a shunt resistor 77. Plate eleeirode 19 is coupled tothe AGC lead 78 by means of resistor 77 and an integrating network comprising" a series resistor 79 and a shunt condenser 80, and AGC lead 78 is connected to one or more of the receiving circuits comprising radio-frequency at'nplifier 41,- oscillator-converter 42, and intermediaterr'eia unc amplifier 4s. 7 v p In operation, positive-polarity composite video signals, including the direct-voltage components, from the output circuit offifst video amplifier 46 are applied to deflection plate 21 by means of the voltage divider comprising the seriescombination of resistors 51 and 52. It is unnecessary to provide a voltage-divider action for the alternating components of the composite video signals; consequently, resistor 51 may be by-passed' for signal frequencies by as" of a condenser 81 if desired. Deflection plates 20 d 21 are so biased that the beam projected through re 11 of acceleratingelectrode 12 is normally di ed to an electron-impervious portion of intercepting de 13, as for instance, to a solid portion of anode 13 the side of apertures 14 and 15 nearer deflection plate Application of the positive-polarity composite video an; to deflection plate 21 causes a transverse deflection of the beam in accordance with the instantaneous sigf amplitude. The operating potentials for the various e ect'ro'des are so adjusted that diiferent longitudinal portions of the beam are respectively deflected entirely into aperture 14 and partially into aperture 15' of intercepting anode 13 in response to the synchronizing-signal compo of the applied composite video signals; the beam is try intercepted by anode 13 during video-signal inf tn als. As a consequence, plate current is only permitted to new to plate electrodes 16, 17, 1s and 19 uring syn ehr'o'niiing-pulse intervals. Since plate electrode 16 is maintained at a positive bias voltage by means of its con nection to 3+ through load resistor 57, the synchro niziii'g pulse components of the applied composite video sig are translated to load resistor 57. These pulse components are integrated by means of integrator 58 to p i'de field-frequency driving pulses for scanning system 59 u in other words, plate electrode 16 is employed solely to derive fieldfrequency output pulses for effecting field: rretiueae receiver synchronization. H

The left-hand section of device 53 serves as a line frequency oscillator in the line-frequencyscanning sys; tern; Oppositel'y phased sinusoidal signals are applied is deflection plates 26 and 27 by means of coil 63 and condenser 67 which are tuned to the line-scanning frequency and which are excited by means of coil 72 inserted in series with the iinerr'e uend deflectioncoil 62. con} 'setjtien'tl'y, the bearrr in the left-hand section of device is cansed to sweep back and forth between anodes 24 and" 25', so that a square-wave output voltage is developed across resistor 73. This square wa've output voltage is differentiatedby means of condenser 74 and resistor 75, and the resulting positive polarity or negative-polarity pulses are employed to trigger line-frequency sweep systern 61, depending on the construction of that sweep system.

At the same time, the same oppositely phased sinusoidal voltage waves applied to deflection plates 27 and 26 are impressed onplate electrodes 17 and 18 respectively in the right-hand section "of device 53. As previously mentioned CUrrent flown) plate electrodes 17 and 18 is restricted to 's' fi'chroninfig puis'e intervals by virtue of the geometry of target electrode 13. Current flow to plate electrodes 17 and 18 is further dependent upon the instan'taneous potential of these electrodes during the synchronizing-pulse intervals. The oppositely phased sinusoidal signals developed by coil 63 and condenser 67 serve as comparison signals in a balanced automatic-frequencycontrol phase-detector. If the comparison signals are perly phased with respect to the incoming line-freqaene synchronizing-signal pulses, the instantaneous potentials of plate electrodes 17 and 18 are equal at the time of the arrival of each synchronizing pulse, and no unidirectional control potential ditference is developed between these plate electrodes. On the other hand, if the comparison signals and the incoming line-frequency synchronizing-signal pulses are not in phase synchronisrn, the instantaneous potentials of the two phase-detector plate electrodes 17 and 18 at the time of arrival of each linefrequency synchronizing-signal pulse are different, so that a unidirectional control signal is developed between plate electrodes 17 and 18. Since these plate electrodes are directly connected to deflection plates 27 and 26 respectively in the left-hand section of device 53, the beam in the left-hand section is accelerated or retarded in its progress from anode 24 to anode 25 and back. As a result, the positive and negative half cycles of the output voltage wave developed across resistor 73 are altered in time duration, and the quasi-square wave thus developed is differentiated to provide triggering pulses for line-frequency sweep system 61. In order to obtain the desired automatic-frequency-control action, it is essential that a condition in which the comparison signals lag the incoming synchronizing-signal pulses result in an increase in the frequency of the local oscillator comprising the left-hand section of device 53, line-frequency sweep system 61, and feedback circuit 72, 63. This operation is insured by the common direct connections for both the sinusoidal comparison signals and the unidirectional AFC potential from plate electrodes 17 and 18 to deflection plates 27 and 26 respectively. It is possible, for a given construction of sweep system 61, that the system may fail to oscillate altogether due to incorrect phasing of the comparison signals and the triggering pulses for the line-frequency sweep system; this condition may be corrected by merely reversing the terminal connections of feedback coil 72 or of coil 63, or, if separate leads are provided for anodes 24 and 25, by reversing the circuit connections of these two anodes. Proper pull-in action is automatically insured for any condition for which oscillation is obtained.

A suitable keying signal, which may comprise positive-polarity line-frequency retrace pulses or other suitably phased signals bearing a fixed phase relation to the linefrequency scansion of image-reproducing device 45, is applied from line-frequency sweep system 61 to plate electrode 19 by means of condenser 76 and resistor 77. This keying signal performs a gating function, permitting plate electrode 19 to accept space electrons passing through aperture of intercepting anode 13 only during those intervals when plate electrode 19 is instantaneously positive. Consequently, a control potential is developed across resistor 77 in response to time coincidence of the synchronizing-signal components of the composite video signals and a positive-polarity keying signal applied to plate electrode 19. This control potential is integrated by means of resistor 79 and condenser 80 to provide a negative-polarity unidirectional control potential for application to the AGC lead 78.

Certain important advantages of the system described in connection with Figure 3 may best be understood by consideration of that figure in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Since aperture 14 in intercepting anode 13 has definite fixed boundaries, it is apparent that deflection of the beam beyond aperture 14 results in interception thereof by anode 13. Consequently, extraneous noise pulses, which are generally of much larger amplitude than any desired component of the composite video signals, are not translated to plate electrodes 16, 17 and 18. Thus, loss of synchronization due to extraneous impulse noise is substantially precluded. This operation is apparent from the operating characteristic 30 of Figure 4. When composite video signals comprising synchronizing-pulse components 32 and video-signal components 33 are impressed on deflection plate 21, extraneous noise pulses 34 and 35, which are of. greater amplitude than the synchronizing-pulse components by an amount exceeding the voltage represented by the spacing between vertical lines 36 and 37, result in deflection of the beam beyond aperture 14; consequently, these noise pulses are not translated to the output circuits associated with plate electrodes 16, 17 and 18, and substantial noise immunity is achieved. Aperture 14 is preferably of constant length in a direction parallel to cathode 10, in order to provide output pulses of constant amplitude for application to scanning system 59 and to permit balanced operation of phase-detector plates 17 and 18.

The operation of the gated automatic gain control system may perhaps best be understood by a consideration of operating characteristic 31 of Figure 2. Space electrons are permitted to pass to plate electrode 19 only when the electron beam is laterally deflected at least partially into aperture 15, and then only if plate electrode 19 is instantaneously maintained at a positive potential by the keying signal applied thereto from sweep system 61. In an equilibrium condition, the deflection-control system is so biased that the peaks of the synchronizing-signal pulses are impressed on the rising portion of characteristic 31, as indicated by vertical line 36. When the signal amplitude increases, the peaks of the synchronizing pulses 32 instantaneously extend farther to the right, and the space current to plate electrode 19 is increased. This results in an increase in the negative unidirectional control potential applied to the receiving circuits 41, 42 and 43, thus reducing the gain of these circuits and thereby restoring the amplitude of the input signal applied to deflection plate 21 to the equilibrium value indicated in the drawing. On the other hand, if the signal amplitude instantaneously decreases, the negative gain-control potential decreases and the gain of the receiving circuits is increased to restore equilibrium. Noise pulses 34 and 35 occurring during the video signal intervals have no effect on the automatic gain control potential since plate electrode 19 is maintained at or below cathode potential during these intervals by the keying signal applied from sweep system 61. Moreover, even such noise pulses as may occur during synchronizingpulse intervals, if of sufficiently great amplitude, are prevented from contributing to the automatic gain control potential by virtue of the finite boundaries of aperture 15. Consequently, even greater noise immunity is obtained with the present gated automatic gain control system than with conventional gated automatic gain control arrangements employing grid-controlled tubes for AGC generation.

Since it is desirable for the synchronizing pulses translated by way of plate electrode 16 and load resistor 57 to scanning system 59 to be of constant amplitude, it is preferred that the peaks of the synchronizing-pulse components 32 be impressed on characteristic 30 at a constantcurrent region of that characteristic; in other words, the synchronizing-pulse components of the applied composite video signals should cause deflection of the upper portion of the beam entirely into aperture 14. At the same time, because of the automatic gain control action, the peaks of the synchronizing-pulse components 32 are always superimposed on a sloping portion of characteristic 31-, in other words, the synchronizing-pulse components of the applied composite video signals cause deflection of the lower portion of the beam only partially into aperture 15. By disposing apertures 14 and 15 in overlapping or stag-- gered alignment in a direction parallel to cathode 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, it is insured that whenever the automatic gain control action establishes the equilibrium condition illustrated by the graphical representation of Figure 2, synchronizing pulses of constant amplitude are developed at plate electrode 16 for application to the field-frequency scanning system, and the clipping level of. the synchronizing-signal separator is automatically adjusted to accommodate varying signal strengths at the receiver input.

When the receiver is first turned on, or during channel switching operations, the receiver circuits are conditioned guises for operation at full gain. It the signal to which the receiver is tuned under these conditions is a strong one, the beam in the right-hand section might be swept beyond the AGC aperture thus paralyzing the automatic gain control system unless special precautions are taken to provide for the establishment of a suitable negative automatic gain control potential in the first instance. Consequently, it is preferred to make aperture 15 of considerably larger transverse extent than aperture 14. Such a construction however, detracts at least partially from the immunity of the automatic gain control system to extraneous noise impulses occurring during synchronizing-pulse intervals; Consequently, it is preferred to make aperture 15 of varying length in a direction parallel to the cathode 10, in order to avoid paralysis of the receiver when the setis initially turned on or during channel switching operations, while at the same time providing at least partial noise immunity during synchronizing-pulse intervals. in the specific arrangement shown and described in connection with Figure 1, a T-shaped aperture 15 is employed. Such a construction permits the flow of at least some space current to plate electrode 19 under strong signal conditions when the receiver is first turned on, so that a negative automatic gain control potential is produced to reduce the gain or the receiving circuits and establish the equilibrium condition represented by Figure 2. Even if aperture 151s of constant length in a direction parallel to the cathode, however, the noise immunity of the gated automatic gain control system is fully equivalent to that obtainedwith conventional systems now employed in commercially produced receivers.

Another important advantage of the system of Figure 3 is attributable to the particular mechanism employed for effecting automatic frequency control of the line-fi e quency scanning system. As previously explained, the' desired a'u'tomatic-frequency-control action is accomplished by applying two sinusoidal comparison signals in push pull to the phase-detector plate electrodes 17 and 18. For a condition of phase synchronism with the incoming line-frequency synchronizing-signal pulses t'he" time of arrival of the incoming synchronizing pulses coincides with the passage of both phase-detector plate electrodes 17 and 18 through zero potential. If both phase-detector plate electrodes operated as perfect peak detectors, and if theincoming line-frequency synchronizing pulses were of infinitesimal duration, the phase-detector plate electrodes would acquire cathode potential at the precise instant of arrival of each incoming line-frequency synchronizing pulse; this condition would hold even for slight deviations from phase synchronism within the lock-in range. Since the space current in the left-handsection of the device 53, which operates as the local line-frequency oscillator, switches from one to the other of anodes 24 and 25 at the instant when the two electrostatic deflection plates 26 and 27 are at equal potentials, the driving pulse for the line-frequency sweep system 61, and consequently the line-frequency retrace pulse, are initiated at that time. Consequently, Within the lock-in range, the position of the reproduced image on the screen of device would be completely insensitive to adjustment of the automatic frequency control system. In practice, the incoming line-frequency synchronizing-signal pulses are of such short duration and the plate electrodes 17 and 18 may so nearly approach perfect peak detector operation that this desirable condition may be very nearly atrained.

Thus, it is apparent that the present invention provides new and improved apparatus for performing a multiplicity of functions in the synchronizing system of a tale vision receiver or the like. With a single tube of the type shown and described in connection with Figure l, the sev eral functions of noise-immune synchronizing-signal separator, balanced auto'matic-frequency-control phase-detector, line-frequency oscillator, reactance tube, and gated automatic gain control generator may be performed. In

a conventional receiver; these operations require at least three electron-discharge devices; same of which are of duplex construction. Further,- the present system requires an extremely small number of associated circuit compo nents. The special beam deflection tube may be con structed entirely of simple punched sheet metal parts and is therefore readily adaptable to large scale commercial production, By virtue of the staggered arrangement of the receptive areas of the plate electrodes, the correct clipping level is automatically established for the synchronizing-signal separator for all receiver-input signal levels, and this advantageous characteristic is accent plished without requiring the use of any additional ctrcuit element's. Incorrect synchronizing-signal separation due to drift or misadjustment of the automatic gain control circuits, as observed in conventional receivers, is thus rendered impossible. As a still further advantage, the position of the reproduced image on the screen of the image-reproducing device is substantially insensitive to the adjustment of the antomatic frequency-control system within the lock-in range.

While the desired operating characteristics are obtained in the right-hand section of the beam deflection tube of Figure 1 by employing an apertured target or intercepting anode backed by a plurality of plate electrodes, it is apparent that equivalent operation may be achieved by pro-' viding plate electrodes of a size, shape and space dis"- tribution corresponding to the areas of plate electrodes 16, 17, 18 and 19 exposed tothe electron beam, followed by anode means for collecting space electrons not col lected by such plate electrodes. In some of the appended claims, therefore, the output system is described as cornprising one or more plate electrodes having specifically defined receptive areas, and this terminology is to be construed as descriptive of a tube employing either the apertured target construction shown in Figure l or the alternative construction described above. However, the ap'ertured target construction is preferred for its simplicity and ease of manufacture. H

In the tube and system shown and described in connection with Figures l-3, a separate plate electrode is pro: vided for developing field-frequency synchronizing-signal pulses for application to the field requericy scanning'sy'stem. It is also possible to derive the desired field-frequency output pulses by providing a suitable integrating load circuit between center mp 64 of coil 63 and ground, as described and lanned in the' I amending application or Robert Adler, 'SerialNo. 260,221, filed December '6, 1951 for Synchronizing Control Apparatus and assigned to the present assigne'e. In this manner, the output currents' to phase detector plate electrodes and 18 are effectively combined to provide the'des'ired field-freqiieney output pulses which may then be employed to control the field-frequency scanning system. This modification of the system provides equivalent performance with an at tendant simplification of the required tube construction. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, his apparent that various changes and modifications may be made, and it is therefore contemplated in'th'e appended claims to cover ali such changes and modifications fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. In a television reeeiver' for utilizingtransmitted composite televison signals: image-rep oducing deyice; a scanning system for controlling scansion of said devic; receiving eircuits fortrarisla'tiiig' said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal component'sj a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beain of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to one of said plate electrodes a comparison signal bearing a fixed phase relation to said scansion; an output circuit coupled to said one plate electrode for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said synchronizing-signal components and said comparison signal; means for utilizing said first control signal to etfect phase synchronism of said scanning system with said synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

2. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a scanning system for controlling the scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said videosignal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to a pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said synchronizing-signal components and said scansion; means for utilizing said first control signal to effect phase synchronism of said scanning system with said synchronizingsignal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

3. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a first scanning system for controlling the linefrequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizing signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflectioncontrol means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; an output circuit coupled to at least one of said plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said fieldfrequency synchronizing signal components thereto; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to a pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said linefrequency scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components and said line-frequency scansion; means for utilizing said first control signal to effect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

4. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a first scanning system for controlling the line-frequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translation composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizingsignal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to a pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said line-frequency scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said line-fre-v quency synchronizing-signal components and said linefrequency scansion; means for utilizing said first control en ines signal to e'flect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components; an output circuit coupled to a third one of said plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizing-signal components thereto; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitnde of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to eflect automatic gain control of said receiver.

5. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a scanning system for controlling the scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular crosssection, an anode having a pair of apertures, a pair of plate electrodes for collecting space electrons passing through one of said apertures, an additional plate electrade for collecting space electrons passing through the other of said apertures, and deflection-control means for normally directing said beam to an electron-impervious portion of said anode and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially into said apertures in response to said synchronizing-signal components; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to said pair of plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation With said scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said synchronizing-signal components and said scansion; means for utilizing said first control signal to effect phase synchronism of said scanning system with said synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said additional plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control sigrial to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

6. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing deyice'; a first scanning system for controlling the linefrequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite videosignals comprising video-signal components and line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizingsignal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, an anode having a pair of apertures, a plurality of plate electrodes for collecting space electrons passing through one of said apertures, an additional plate electrode for collecting space electrons passing through the other of said apertures, and electrostatic deflection-control means for nor- 14 113211137 directing said electron beam to an electron-int pervious portion of said anode and responsive to an input sign-n for subjecting said beam to a transverse electrostatic deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially into said apertures in response to said synchronizing signal components; an output circuit coupled to at least one of said plurality of plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizing-signal components thereto; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to a pair of said plurality of plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation With said line-frequency scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components and said line-frequency scansion; means for utilizing said first control signal to eflect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said additional plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to eflect automatic gain control of said receiver.

7. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a scanning system for controlling the scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprisingtvideo-signal components andsynchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal compon'ents; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheetlike electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam't'o said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; a deflection-control electron-discharge device comprising means for projecting another electron beam, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of said other beam, and a deflection-control system for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said scanning system; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to said deflection-control system a feedback signal in synchronism with said scansion; means coupled to said scanning system for applyingto a pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said scansion; an

output circuit coupled to saidpair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said synchronizing-signal components and said scansion; means for applying said first control signal to said deflectioncontrol system to effect phase synchronism of said Seanningsystem with said synchronizingsig'nal component's; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

8. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a scanning system for controlling the scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; a deflection-control electron-discharge device comprising means for projecting another electron beam, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of said other beam, and a pair of electrostatic-deflection electrodes for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said scanning system; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes a feedback signal in synchronism with said scansion; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to a pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said synchronizing-signal components and said scansion; means for applying said first control signal to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes to effect phase synchronism of said scanning sys tem with said synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to efiect automatic gain control of said receiver.

9. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a scanning system for controlling the scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizing-signal components; a deflection-control electron-discharge device comprising means for projecting another electron beam, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of said other beam, and a pair of electrostatic-deflection electrodes, electrically connected respectively to a pair of said plate electrodes, for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said scanning system; means coupled to said scanning system for applying to said pair of plate electrodes and to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said synchronizing-signal components and said scansion and for applying said first control signal to said electrostaticdeflection electrodes to effect phase synchronism of said scanning system with said synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second undirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to efiect automatic gain control of said receiver.

10. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a first scanning system for controlling the line-frequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like electron beam of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas, anode means for collecting space electrons not collected by said plate electrodes, and deflection-control means for normally directing said electron beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizingsignal components; an output circuit coupled to at least one of said plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizingsignal components thereto; a deflection-control electrondischarge device comprising means for projecting another electron beam, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of said other beam, and a pair of electrostatic-deflection electrodes, directly connected respectively to a pair of said plate electrodes, for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said first scanning system; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to said pair of plate electrodes and to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said line-frequency scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said linefrequency synchronizing-signal components and said linefrequency scansion and for applying tsaid: first: control:

signal torsaid electrostatic-deflection electrodes to effect phase. synchronismof said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signalcomponents; means for energizing another of .said plate electrodes to-accept atleast a portion of the space current directed thereto; an outputcircuitncoupledto said other; plate electrode foradeveloping aisecondsunidirectional control signal indicative-of the instantaneousamplitude: of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receivingcircuits to effect. automatic gain control of said receiver;

11.. Ina television receiverfor utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a .first scanning system. for controlling the i line-frequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of-said device; receiving circuits for translating saidcomposite television signals; avideo detectorfor-demodulating said translated composite television signals. to provide'composite video signals comprising video-signal components and dine-frequency and field-frequency synchronizing-signal components of amplitudegreater than the'maximum amplitude of. said video-signalzcomponents; a beam deflection tubecomprising an electron gun including an elongated cathode for projecting a sheet-like: electron beam of substantially rectangularcross-section, an anode having'two apertures in overlapping alignment: in a direction parallel to said cathode; a plurality of:plate electrodes for collecting space electrons passing through one of said apertures, an additional plate electrodefor-collecting space electrons passing through:the other of said apertures, and deflectioncontrol means for normally-directing said electron beam to an electron-impervious portion of'said 'anode and responsive toan input signal for subjecting said beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection control' means :to cause transverse deflection of a longitudinal portion of said beam entirely into said one aperture and of another longitudinal portion of said beam partially into the other of said apertures in-response to said synchronizing signal components; an output circuit coupled to at least-one of said plurality of plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizing-signal components thereto; a deflection-control electron-discharge device comprising means for projecting another electron beam, a pair or" anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of said other beam, and a pair of electrostatic-deflection electrodes, directly connected respectively to a pair of said plurality of plate electrodes, for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said first scanning system; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to said pair of plate electrodes and to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said line-frequency scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components and said line-frequency scansion and for applying said first control signal to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes to effect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second uni-directional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

12. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted compositeutelevision signals: an image-reproducing device; a first scanningsystem for controlling the line-frequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling .the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving l circuits for translating said composite televisionsignals;a'video detector for demodulating said translated. composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and: line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said ivideo-signal components; a beam deflection-tubecomprising means including at least one elongated, cathode, for projecting two separate sheet-like electronbeams of substantially rectangular cross-section, a pluralitygof plate electrodes respectively having predeterminedrreceptive areas' transversely disposed with respect -to-the;path of-ioneof isaid beams, anode means for collecting :space'electrons of said one beam not collected by said plate electrodes,deflection-control means for normally directing 'saidlone beam to-said anode means and responsive tovan-inputsignal for subjecting said one beam to a transverse deflection field, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of the other of said beams; and a deflection-control system for subjecting said other beamrto a transverse deflection field; means coupledto said video detector for applyingsaid composite-videosignals to said deflectioncontrol; means, to cause transverse deflection of said one beam at least'partially onto said receptive areas in response tosaid synchronizing-signal components; an output-circuitcoupled toat least one of said plate electrodes and-to saidgsecond scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizing-signal components thereto; an-ioutput' circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said first scanningrsystem; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to'a pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase'relation withsaid line-frequency scansion; an outputcircuit coupled to; said =pair of plate electrodes for developinga first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said linefrequencysynchronizingssignal components and said linefrequencyscansion;means for applying said first control signal toqsa-id deflection-control system to effect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said linefrequency synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to elfect automatic gain control of said receiver.

13. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a first scanning system for controlling the line-frequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizing-signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising means including at least one elongated cathode for projecting two separate sheet-like electron beams of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas transversely disposed with respect to the path of one of said beams, anode means for collecting space electrons of said one beam not collected by said plate electrodes, deflection-control means for nor mally directing said one beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said one beam to a transverse deflection field, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of the other of said beams, and a pair of electrostaticdefiection electrodes directly connected respectively to a pair of said plate electrodes, for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said one beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizingsignal components; an output circuit coupled to at least one of said plurality of plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizing-signal components thereto; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said first scanning system; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to said pair of plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said linefrequency scansion; an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a first unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components and said line-frequency scansion and for applying said first control signal to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes to eflect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components; means for energizing another of said plate electrodes to accept at least a portion of the space current directed thereto; an output circuit coupled to said other plate electrode for developing a second unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous amplitude of said composite video signals; and means for applying said second control signal to said receiving circuits to effect automatic gain control of said receiver.

14. In a television receiver for utilizing transmitted composite television signals: an image-reproducing device; a first scanning system for controlling the line-frequency scansion of said device; a second scanning system for controlling the field-frequency scansion of said device; receiving circuits for translating said composite television signals; a video detector for demodulating said translated composite television signals to provide composite video signals comprising video-signal components and line-frequency and field-frequency synchronizing signal components of amplitude greater than the maximum amplitude of said video-signal components; a beam deflection tube comprising means including at least one elongated cathode for projecting two separate sheet-like electron beams of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of plate electrodes respectively having predetermined receptive areas transversely disposed with respect to the path of one of said beams, anode means for collecting space electrons of said one beam not collected by said plate electrodes, deflection-control means for normally directing said one beam to said anode means and responsive to an input signal for subjecting said one beam to a transverse deflection field, a pair of anodes having active portions on opposite sides of the undeflected path of the other of said beams, and a pair of electrostatic-deflection electrodes, directly connected respectively to a pair of said plate electrodes for subjecting said other beam to a transverse deflection field; means coupled to said video detector for applying said composite video signals to said deflection-control means to cause transverse deflection of said one beam at least partially onto said receptive areas in response to said synchronizingsignal components; an output circuit coupled to at least one of said plurality of plate electrodes and to said second scanning system for translating said field-frequency synchronizing-signal components thereto; an output circuit coupled to one of said anodes and to said first scanning system; means coupled to said first scanning system for applying to said pair of said plate electrodes oppositely phased comparison signals in fixed phase relation with said line-frequency scansion; and an output circuit coupled to said pair of plate electrodes for developing a unidirectional control signal indicative of the instantaneous phase relation between said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components and said line-frequency scansion and for applying said control signal to said electrostatic-deflection electrodes to effect phase synchronism of said first scanning system with said line-frequency synchronizing-signal components.

No references cited. 

